The history of the name Begoode goes back 1066 when the Norman Conquest of England occurred. Soon after this event, the name would have been given to a Norman or an excessively religious person. Normans were referred to as Bigots by the French, although the meaning of the word is unknown. After the 15th century, a nickname adapted from the phrase by God took on the form Bigot. There is some suggestion that the name in Normandy had been Wigot, and there was a line descended from Wigot de St.Denis, a great nobleman of Normandy.

Begoode Early Origins

The surname Begoode was first found in Essex at Dunmow and Finchingfield, where they were granted lands by King William after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Roger Bigod is also listed in Domesday Book; he was a Sheriff, with large land holdings in Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. Marston-Biggott in Somerset was an ancient family seat. "This place derives the affix to its name from the Bigott family, to whom the manor for several centuries belonged, and the site of whose ancient mansion is still marked by the moat." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.

Begoode Spelling Variations

Begoode Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Begoode has been recorded under many different variations, including Bigot, Bigode, Bygod, Begod, Bigod, Wigot, Bidgood and many more.

Begoode Early History

Begoode Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Begoode research. Another 399 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1096, 1095, 1177, 1182, 1225, 1266, 1107, 1144, 1150, 1221, 1209, 1270, 1245, 1306, 1066, 1166, 1227, 1214, 1522, 1150, 1220 and 1298 are included under the topic Early Begoode History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Begoode Early Notables (pre 1700)

Begoode Early Notables (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Roger le Bigod (1150-1220), son of Hugh Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk, who was recorded on the Falkirk Roll. This...

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Begoode Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Begoode In Ireland

Begoode In Ireland

Some of the Begoode family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Begoodes were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Richard Bidgood who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1638; and V. Bigot who settled in San Francisco Cal. in 1851. In Newfoundland, Benjamin Bidgood was a juror in St. John's in 1751.

Bowman, George Ernest. The Mayflower Reader A Selection of Articales from The Mayflower Descendent. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.

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The Begoode Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Begoode Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.